NTSB reports on air crash

Pilot error linked to deadly accident that killed five Indiana University grad students.

Pilot error linked to deadly accident that killed five Indiana University grad students.

June 30, 2007

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) -- Federal investigators say pilot error was the likely cause of a late-night plane crash last year that killed five Indiana University students including the pilot, who was from South Bend. The National Transportation Safety Board report said no mechanical problems were found with the plane that would have caused the April 20, 2006, crash after it clipped trees about a half-mile short of the Monroe County Airport. Those killed were the pilot, Georgina Joshi, 24, of South Bend, and passengers Zachary Novak, 25, of Anderson; Robert Clayton Samels, 24, of Medina, Ohio; Garth Eppley, 25, of Wabash, Ind.; and Chris Bates Carducci, 28, of Monroe, Mich. All were graduate students in IU's music school and were returning to Bloomington after a concert rehearsal in West Lafayette. The NTSB report released Wednesday blamed the crash on "the pilot's continued descent below decision height and not maintaining adequate altitude/clearance from the trees while on approach." A review of the single-engine Cessna's engine monitor found a reduction in fuel flow consistent with slowing for a descent, followed by an increase to full power before the crash, the report said. Other factors for the crash cited by investigators were the night lighting conditions and mist as the Bloomington airport reported visibility of one mile and overcast conditions at 100 feet. Joshi, the pilot, was certified for instrument flight and had nearly 380 hours of flight time, the report said. Toxicology tests on Joshi returned negative. The NTSB report said the pilot made a radio call at 11:43 p.m., telling flight controllers at the Terre Haute airport that the plane was about six miles from the Bloomington airport and approaching to land. A flight controller told the pilot the radio frequency for flights at the Bloomington airport, after which the pilot responded, "Thank you, sir." That was the last communication controllers had with the plane, the report said. The Monroe County Sheriff's Department received its first calls of a possible plane crash about 11:45 p.m., and the wreckage was found some four hours later.